The Minor Parties

Small parties hate opinion polls, especially in this election, where most commentators see a two-horse race. "The major polls don't reflect what we're seeing on the ground," says New Zealand First M.P. Brent Catchpole. "Many of our constituents are older than the 25- to 45-year-old demographic phone pollsters seek out. Our party is doing a lot better - and we'll prove it on election day." In 2002, when National's vote collapsed to 21%, five minor parties had a field day: they won a combined 41 seats in the 120-member Parliament. This time around, no one is expecting the minnows to poll...